Reward for killers of rare falcon shot down in Cambridgeshire

A £1,000 reward has been offered after a rare falcon was shot and killed in Cambridgeshire in a “sickening” attack.

Cambridgeshire Police, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the RSPB are appealing for anyone with information about the shooting of a rare red-footed falcon to come forward after the body of the protected bird of prey was found near Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire last month.

A post-mortem examination carried out after the body was passed to the RSPB has confirmed that the bird, a young (sub-adult) male, had been recently shot and that this was the cause of death.

The wildlife charity is offering a reward of £1,000 for information about the shooting.

Alun Bradshaw, Cambridgeshire Constabulary Wildlife Crime Officer, said: “It’s awful that this rare bird has been needlessly and cowardly shot in the county.

“We take these matters seriously and are asking for anyone with information to contact us or Crimestoppers.”

RSPB experts have also been able to confirm that the shot red-footed falcon is the same individual that birdwatchers and nature lovers in the Midlands and East of England had delighted in seeing ince it was first spotted in Stoke, Staffordshire in July this year.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Cambridgeshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 FREE